It’s encouraging to see eN-Zed’s coalition government taking steps to cut unnecessary spending and restore fiscal responsibility. Government funds come from taxes paid by hardworking eN-Zedders – truck drivers, carpenters, farm workers, plumbers, shop assistants, waiters, and the people who cook the fish and chips—you know, the heart and soul of this decent community. These honest, sincere, hardworking eN-Zedders deserve to be respected and they deserve to keep as much of their hard-earned income as possible to spend on themselves, their families, and their own choices.
The eN-Zed government has announced changes to welfare and student support policies affecting young people. The student allowance income threshold remains at $69,935.32 before tax, with eligibility phasing out entirely when parental joint earnings reach $127,701.81 (for students living at home) or $137,187.86 (for those living independently).
A new initiative will offer 18-24-year-olds in the Ministry of Social Development’s community job coaching program a $1,000 bonus if they secure employment and remain off benefits for 12 months. The policy launches in October 2025, with first payments available in October 2026. Currently, 4,000 places exist in the job-coaching scheme.
Prime Minister Luxon defended the bonus as rewarding “personal responsibility over dependency,” while Social Development Minister Upston expressed confidence in job availability for young people despite current economic conditions. The unemployment rate stood at 5.2% in June 2025, with Treasury forecasting it will decrease to 5% by June 2026 and 4.8% by June 2027.
The policy has drawn criticism from Labour’s Willie Jackson, who argued it shuts young people out of their future amid rising unemployment. But Willie Jackson wpuld say that, wluldn’t he? Because he probably thinks government funds grows on trees (allegedly). ACT leader David Seymour supported the changes, claiming they restore personal responsibility by encouraging young people to work rather than rely on taxpayer support. ‘Personal responsibility’ – such a profoundly right and good concept.
But we’ve not come this far to only come this far. There are a lot more government handouts that have to be cut before hardworking eN-Zedders are being treated respectfully. No more tax payer funds being handed out to race-based projects, for example.
eN-Zed 